Sunday, May 15, 2011
MOPS Shadow T800 brings analog joystick, hearts & spades to Android
Robot orchestra marries music and machines (video)
It may not be the first go-round for the Karmetik Machine Orchestra, but the automated musicians, fashioned by a group of students at the California Institute of the Arts, took the stage last night to prove that robots can rock. Among the mechanized musicians scheduled to perform at the Walt Disney Modular Theater were MahaDevibot, Glockenbot, BreakBot, and NotomotoN, described as a "duel-head drum with twelve beaters and a mallet orchestra." Each of the robots was built from salvaged parts and programmed by CalArts students, who control the machines from laptops during performances. A description of the show posted to the CalArts website touts music-producing robots suspended from the ceiling that trigger sound activated light shows and animation -- now that sounds like a way to spend a Thursday night. Check out a video of the players and their masters after the break.
Samsung Infuse 4G and HP Veer 4G now on sale at AT&T
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE: Barcelona v Real Madrid - follow the action from the Nou Camp as it happens
The millions of fans who tuned in to last week's first leg at the Bernabeu expecting fireworks of the football variety from two teams teeming with attacking talent were left bitterly disappointed by an encounter that was explosive for all the wrong reasons. From both sides' unpalatable histrionics toJose Mourinho's unsavoury accusations, those who had been promised a footballing feast prior to kick-off were still feeling famished after 90 fiery minutes.
The fallout from 'El Clashico' has been widespread and varied but, among the reams of subjectivity, one objective fact stands out: Barcelona are 2-0 up and playing at home in the second leg. Buried in Mourinho's post-match vitriol and character assassination of referees the continent over was at least one sensible statement: "The return game is mission impossible."The Catalans unquestionably have one foot in the final at Wembley, where a rematch of the 2009 showpiece with Manchester United will likely await. Pep Guardiola has lost just four of 37 Champions League games in charge of Barca and he can even afford to lose this one by a one-goal margin and advance. What Barca must be wary of, though, is the prospect of being drawn into a bloodbath at Camp Nou and risking players being suspended for the final. The first leg boiled over on several occasions and it is paramount for the Primera Division leaders that Messi and co concentrate on dazzling their rivals and dominating possession.A 'throw-caution-to-the-wind' approach does not appear to be in Mourinho's armoury but it is surely the only solution if Real are to become the first team in Champions League history to overturn a 2-0 first-leg home defeat to progress. 'Parking the bus' may have worked for Inter last year but to salvage a reputation that, despite the Copa del Rey triumph, has taken a pummelling of late, it appears Mourinho's only option will be to liberate the wealth of offensive talent at his disposal. That playing this way could see his side succumb to the sort of embarrassment suffered in this season's first El Clasico - when Barca ran riot to thump Los Blancos 5-0 - is a risk the Portuguese may just have to take.Without the suspended Pepe to protect the back four, Real will likely rely on Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso to drop deeper than they were required to last week, leaving room for an extra attack-minded player. Karim Benzema is one option, but Gonzalo Higuain - who has been ushered slowly back into action - may be worth a punt as Real desperately search for goals. The absence of the experienced Sergio Ramoswill be a blow, though it is softened by the return of the equally seasoned Ricardo Carvalho.Little can be read into Real and Barca's respective defeats to Real Zaragoza and Real Sociedad in La Liga at the weekend, with both clubs inevitably focusing their attention on the second leg, but defeat for either side at Camp Nou will certainly be scrutinised more carefully. Expect sparks to fly.Real Madrid player to watch - Angel Di Maria. Last month's Copa del Rey triumph was Real's only victory over Barcelona in their past eight meetings and the architect of the winning goal was skilful Argentina winger Di Maria. His superb cross for Cristano Ronaldo was tempered by a later sending off but the former Benfica star showed that Barca could indeed be unlocked. His fearless dribbling and ability to deliver from wide positions, coupled with Dani Alves' defensive shortcomings, could hold the key for Real again at Camp Nou.Barcelona player to watch - Sergio Busquets. The image of Busquets peeking through his eyes in last year's Champions League semi-final second leg, having feigned a blow to the face to get Thiago Motta sent off, is probably pinned on a novelty dartboard in Jose Mourinho's office. But like him or loathe him, Busquets is a vital cog in the Barca machine. With Real needing to go for the jugular, the Spain midfielder will be required to stifle Messrs Ronaldo and Ozil, a task he has managed with aplomb already this season.Key Battle: Ricardo Carvalho v Lionel Messi. While Jose Mourinho v referee Frank De Bleeckere could yet emerge as an ugly duel, Carvalho's attempts to shackle Messi will be much more important in determining the result. A calming presence, superb in the air and an accomplished ball-player, Carvalho has gone some way towards solving Real's age-old problem of defensive frailty. But he and centre-back partner Raul Albiol will be tested to the full by the most devastating player in world football, whether Cristiano Ronaldo likes it or not. Messi has been at his irrepressible best this season and his tally of 52 goals doesn't even paint a full picture as he has also contributed 22 assists to Barca's cause. He is already third on Barca's list of all-time goalscorers and another salvo against their rivals would see him further cement his place in the pantheon.Trivia: The last time Real won by two goals in the away leg of a Champions League knockout tie was against Barcelona in 2002.Stats: Lionel Messi conceded more fouls than any other Barcelona player in the first leg at the Bernabeu and the second most in the game behind Real's Lassana Diarra.UEFA sends Collina to oversee ref
Collina, UEFA's current head of referees, is viewed as the finest official of his generation and took command of the second leg the last time Barcelona and Real Madrid faced each other in the Champions League semi-finals in 2002.
With tensions high after a volatile first-leg clash, the result of which saw UEFA open up disciplinary proceedings against both clubs, European football's governing body has opted to make their referee observer, which is standard protocol for every match, a high-profile name.
De Bleeckere, 44, has a long-standing reputation as one of Europe's best referees and was at the centre of events last season for his handling of the second leg of the semi-final when Jose Mourinho's ten-man Inter Milan side eliminated Barcelona.
He told Le Soir: "Obviously I know what happened [in the first leg], but I will not take it into account for absolutely nothing. Every game has its own story and, together with my assistants, I will do everything in my power to ensure that we only talk about football.
"When you are a top-level referee you learn how to live with the critics be it positive or negative. There is no need for any drama."
UEFA also named another Italian official, Sergio di Cesare, to serve as its match delegate on Tuesday.
Man Utd v Schalke 04 - Wayne Rooney could miss Champions League 2nd leg
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney missed the open 15-minute session of training on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final second leg at home to Schalke
The England international is believed to have picked up a knock during the weekend defeat at Arsenal and may miss Wednesday night's European tie at Old Trafford.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was believed to be already considering resting Rooney as he has one eye on Sunday's crucial Premier League game against Chelsea.
The league leaders have a 2-0 lead to defend against Schalke and Ferguson is ready to ring the changes with a view to Sunday's game.
Dimitar Berbatov could be handed a start alongside Michael Owen.
Midfielder Darren Fletcher, who has been out for two months with a virus, trained on Tuesday morning, while Denmark goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard could play should Ferguson wish to rest first choice keeper Edwin van der Sar.
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Deiva Thirumagan undergoes change!
After several speculations and options, Vikram and Vijay finally settled upon the title Deiva Thirumagan for their upcoming movie. Barely days after this title was announced people of the Thevar community demanded the title to be changed for it derogates their loved leader Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar who was fondly known as Deiva Thirumagan. The Shiva Sena also joined hands with the Thevar community and demanded the makers to change the title.
Deciding to put an end to all the problems, the director Vijay and Vikram have now changed the name to ‘Deiva Thirumagal’. With this we hope the film does not run into any more problems and gets a smooth release by the end of May. Deiva Thirumagal stars Vikram, Anushka, Amala Paul, Nasser and MS Baskar among several others.
Rana (film)
Rana (Tamil: ராணா; Hindi: राणा) is forthcoming Tamil historical action film, co-written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar starring Rajinikanth, whose story the film will be based upon.[1][2][3][4] The film will be jointly produced by Ocher Picture Productions and Eros International. The film will feature cinematography by R. Rathnavelu and music composed by A. R. Rahman.[5] Filming will commence on 20 April 2011 and is expected to be simultaneously made in Hindi and dubbed in Telugu,[6] all three of which are slated for release in 2012.
Cast
- Rajinikanth
- Deepika Padukone
- Sonu Sood
- Ganja Karuppu
Casting
The film was dubbed as a "Rajinikanth-starrer" when it was first announced, adding that Rajinikanth would feature in three different roles in the film. Before the film's official announcement, Trisha Krishnan was reported to be signed up for a lead role,[11] but was eventually false. Later reports stated thatAnushka Shetty, Deepika Padukone, Asin, and Sneha were approached for lead roles.[15][16][17] The role eventually went to Padukone who signed up in February 2011.[18] Sonu Sood was signed to play the film's antagonist.[19] Later that month, Madhuri Dixit was linked to the project, whom media reports claimed was offered a supporting role, which she later refused citing personal commitments and differences with the role she was offered.[20] Several media reports subsequently emerged, stating that Bollywood actresses Rekha and Vidya Balan were slated to be part of the leading cast.[21][22] The following month, however, it was reported that Rekha walked out of the project during its pre-production stage after a dispute with the producers about her salary.[23]Balan was also reported to have dropped out of the film after an untimely request to fully view the film's script was turned down. In the meantime, Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini were reported to have been signed up for important roles, marking the former's Tamil cinema debut.[24] All reports, however, were finally downplayed by K. S. Ravikumar, stating that no other actor had been signed up, other than Rajinikanth and Padukone, as of March 2011.[25]Ganja Karuppu was signed up the following month as the film's comedian, after the possibility of Vadivelu was turned down due to his controversial motifs during the 2011 legislative assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.[26]R. Rathnavelu was specially chosen by Rajinikanth as the film's cinematographer,[27] after the two worked together in their prior successful venture Enthiran (2010).[28] Rajeevan was signed up as art director.[28] Anthony and A. R. Rahman, who were also part of the Enthiran team, were signed up as the film's editor and composer, respectively.[29] S. Ramakrishnan was signed up as the film's dialogue writer.[30][edit]
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